Chapter 18 #4
The next night, with all the ideas from everyone laid out in a notebook, Ren and I were at the cottage, sitting at the kitchen table, narrowing down a plan. Grammy had continued to improve and would be going home in two days, so it was full steam ahead.
“I like Luke and Sofia’s idea to host it in their backyard.
They have the largest space. It will be a small group, but we have to have a place to dance.
Vicky has the name of a good caterer from her mother-in-law.
They can prepare a simple meal for us after the ceremony, so it will be casual,” Ren said, taking more notes as I watched her.
“That sounds great to me. It will be warm enough for Grammy and the Squad with their fire pit there, if we need it. Okay then, two Saturdays from now at 5 pm, so we have a few hours of daylight.”
She looked up and nodded. “Yes, I like that. I’ll tell Mama and Papa to get in a few days before so they can rest from the trip. They’ll just stay with me in the second bedroom at the cottage.”
“Did Vicky say if the florist can accommodate us on short notice? I know you wanted flowers,” I said, recalling a conversation I overheard the night before between her and the girls.
“Yes, we can get a few bouquets together and one for me. Gardenias, luckily, are easy to find,” she said, putting her pen down and pushing her hair out of her eyes. “I think that’s everything.”
“Well,” I said, elongating the word. “Not everything.”
Ren frowned, grabbed the pen, and flipped a few pages, scanning them, but I gently shut the book. She looked at me curiously.
I stood, and her eyes followed me, her neck straining to keep eye contact. I slowly bent down, going to one knee right in front of her in the chair. She gasped and covered her mouth in surprise.
I was grateful that surfing had strengthened my legs as I stayed in position, pulled the velvet box from my pocket, and held it up to her.
“Renata Valenti, there’s no way I was going to have our proposal story be the one in the hospital waiting room, as sweet as it was,” I said, my eyes scanning hers as she gently laughed, still in shock.
My tone turning serious, I continued, “I have no idea what I’ve done in this life to deserve a woman like you saying yes to this crazy idea, but I know I will thank God every day for bringing you to me.
“I said all this to our friends the other night, but I want to say it to you again privately. When I walked into that waiting room and opened my arms, I had no idea you would come willingly. You had no reason to, but you did anyway. And when you prayed over me, you brought peace to my brokenness that night.”
“Mike,” she whispered.
“I know you’ve said yes, but I wanted to do this right.” I popped open the lid to show her Grammy’s beautiful vintage ring.
Her slender hand reached out and touched the ring with the same awe she had when she first saw it. “Mike, this is…”
“Yours. Renata, I’m falling in love with you, and Grammy wanted the woman I married to wear it. So, I’m asking you again. Will you do me the honor and make me the happiest man in the world? Will you marry me?” My eyes clouded with unshed tears as I waited for her answer. It came quickly.
Her eyes scanned my face. “You’re falling in love with me? Really?”
“Yes, I am,” I said with conviction.
Ren looked at me in fascination before she finally spoke. “Yes, Mike. You’ve accepted me just as I am, so yes. No matter how you ask, no matter how many times you ask, the answer is the same. I’ll marry you.”
I stood up, pulling her with me, and she fell into my arms as she had at the hospital. I drew her in close, savoring her sweet scent, praying Grammy was right. I would show her love in a way that would make her feel safe, not only to accept it from me, but also to give it in return.
“Your sweet words have made me swoon, Mr. Walker,” she mumbled into my shoulder.
“You ain’t seen nothing yet,” I whispered, making her laugh. She pulled her head back, and I could see tears in her eyes.
“Happy tears?” I asked, wanting to kiss them all away.
She nodded. “Yeah, happy tears.”
Sparks swirled around us as the space between us hummed with tension. I wanted to tell her to let go, and for a brief moment, when her lips parted, I thought she would.
Say it, Ren. Tell me you’re falling in love with me, too. Ask me to kiss you.
But I saw the moment her mind shuttered closed as she blinked several times. Undeterred, I kissed her forehead and said a silent prayer over her. She was worth fighting for, worth waiting for.
I loosened my hold on her, but she reached up and kissed me on the cheek.
“Now I’m swooning,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.
She laughed and said, “The ring is beautiful, Mike. I don’t feel like I should have it, but I’ll cherish it always.”
“It was made for you.” Her breath caught at my words, but I didn’t want to push any more. “Want to call it a night?”
Ren was still touching the ring reverently. She looked up and nodded. “Yes, let’s. It’s been a good day.”
“There are many more to come,” I promised her.